In the 8th century, Emperor Charlemagne dreamt of a canal that could unite Europe's great waterways, but it was not until 1992 that his vision came to pass. Now, the Main-Danube Canal allows ships to travel directly from the North Sea to the Black Sea, traversing Western, Central and Eastern Europe in a single journey. See the canals of Amsterdam, the castles of the Rhine Valley and many colorful capitals of Eastern Europe on an incredible 22-day cruisetour that includes eight countries on the Rhine, Main and Danube Rivers. New for 2009, this itinerary provides the ultimate European experience.
Day 1 Bucharest
Arrive in Bucharest. We meet you at the airport and transfer you to the 4-star Hilton Athenee Bucharest (or similar). After check-in, enjoy free time to explore this fascinating city-or join our "welcome walk" to stretch your legs and start getting oriented. (D)
Day 2 Bucharest
On a morning tour of Bucharest, visit The Palace of the Parliament+ known as "House of the People." After lunch in a local restaurant, visit Revolution Square. Then, enjoy a ride through the Romanian countryside to visit the Village Museum and embark your ship. Depart during dinner. (B, L, D)
+The Palace of the Parliament may occasionally be closed to host official government business.
Day 3 Silistra & Varna
Awaken in Silistra. Ride through rural Bulgaria to Varna, a Black Sea resort. Enjoy a short cruise on the Black Sea and lunch in a local restaurant. Take free time to explore the town or visit the Varna Museum. Rejoin your ship in Russe for dinner and depart this evening. (B, L, D)
Day 4 Veliko Tarnovo & Arbanasi
Today's daylong tour takes you to Bulgaria's former capital, Veliko Tarnovo. See Tsaravets Hill and the ruins of the royal castle. Enjoy lunch in an Arbanasi restaurant and a guided tour of the Nativity Church. Dine aboard and depart late tonight. (B, L, D)
Day 5 Vidin & Belogradchik
Wake up in Vidin and take a journey to Belogradchik to tour the former Ottoman castle. Stroll the compound and explore its many terraced courtyards with breathtaking views. Have lunch aboard, then explore on your own-as always, your Program Director can help you plan your free time. Depart during dinner. (B, L, D)
Day 6 Iron Gate
Enjoy a full day of cruising along one of the most visually arresting areas of the Lower Danube, flanked by enormous white chalk cliffs and spectacular scenery. (B, L, D)
Day 7 Belgrade
Wake up in Belgrade, capital of Serbia. Take a guided walk through the grounds of Kalemegdan Fortress. Tour the city's Eastern Orthodox cathedral and stop at the Square of the Republic. Enjoy lunch aboard and an afternoon at leisure. (B, L, D)
Day 8 Kalocsa
Arrive in Kalocsa, Hungary after lunch. Visit the House of Folk Arts, showcasing the area's time-honored farming traditions. Then, you are treated to a performance of traditional Puszta horsemanship. Return to your ship for dinner and departure. (B, L, D)
Day 9 Budapest
Explore both sides of Budapest, starting with Pest's National Opera House and historic Heroes' Square. In Buda, stroll Fishermen's Hill to Fishermen's Bastion and Matthias Church. Have lunch aboard and enjoy an afternoon at leisure. Dine and cruise through the night. (B, L, D)
Day 10 Bratislava
Enjoy a walking tour of the Slovak Republic's charming capital-see Michael's Gate, Trinity Church and St. Martin's Cathedral. You also pass by several grand Habsburg Dynasty palaces before you return to your ship and depart late tonight. (B, L, D)
Day 11 Vienna
Ride along Vienna's Ringstrasse, which replaced city walls in the mid-19th century. Tour Belvedere Palace, with its trompe l'oeil features and Austrian art. Also see Vienna's Opera House, Hofburg Palace and more. Take the afternoon to further explore Vienna. After dinner, enjoy an optional classical concert. (B, L, D)
Day 12 Melk & Durnstein
Cruise through the beautiful Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After lunch, tour the spectacular baroque 900-year-old abbey at Melk. Rejoin your ship for dinner and evening cruising. (B, L, D)
Day 13 Passau & Linz
On this morning's walking tour, see Passau's Italianate architecture. Then, listen to a concert on Europe's largest pipe organ in St. Stephan's Cathedral. Arrive in Linz during dinner. You may want to take an evening stroll. (B, L, D)
Day 14 Regensburg
Arrive in Regensburg after breakfast and tour the city; discover 13th- and 14th-century patrician houses and St. Peter's Cathedral. During free time, visit the Alte Wurstkuche (Old Sausage Kitchen), Germany's oldest restaurant. Cruise through dinner. (B, L, D)
Day 15 Nuremberg
Spend the morning on the Main-Danube Canal, the engineering marvel that makes your 2,200-mile journey possible. Have lunch aboard, then dock in Nuremberg. Visit the ruins of Zeppelin Field, used as Nazi parade grounds, and see the Palace of Justice where the Nuremberg Trials were held. Enjoy free time in the Old Town area, or join an optional World War II history tour. Depart before dinner. (B, L, D)
Day 16 Bamberg
Today's tour takes you to Bamberg, founded in 902. Bamberg's Old Town area is so beautifully preserved that it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy a walking tour and then take time to sample the town's famous locally brewed smoky beer, Rauchbier. Dine aboard and depart this evening. (B, L, D)
Day 17 Wurzburg & Rothenburg
After breakfast, tour Wurzburg's Bishops' Residenz, one of Germany's largest and most ornate palaces. Then, travel along the "Romantic Road" to Rothenburg, stopping for lunch on the way. See Rothenburg's turreted city wall and lovely Gothic and baroque architecture. Dine aboard and enjoy an evening of cruising. (B, L, D)
Day 18 Wertheim
During your morning walking tour, learn about life in Wertheim; see a bakery, a butcher shop and a glassblowing studio. After some free time to explore, return to your ship for lunch and an afternoon glassblowing demonstration. (B, L, D)
Day 19 Mainz & Rudesheim
After breakfast, tour Mainz and visit the Gutenberg Museum, which chronicles the history of printing and displays two of the original 42-line Gutenberg Bibles. Enjoy free time, then have lunch aboard while cruising toward Rudesheim, where you can explore the famed Drosselgasse or take an optional mini-train ride to Siegfried's Mechanical Music Museum. (B, L, D)
Day 20 Cologne
Enjoy scenic cruising along the legendary Rhine. After lunch, tour Cologne and visit the Dom, Germany's largest cathedral. Afterward, sample Cologne's signature beer, Kolsch. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure; enjoy dinner aboard. (B, L, D)
Day 21 Amsterdam
Sail along the Rhine during the morning hours, enjoying scenic views. Arrive in Amsterdam during lunch. This afternoon, get a city overview with a canal boat cruise past merchant houses and into the Old Harbor, which dates back to Holland's Golden Age. Next, visit the Van Gogh Museum, featuring works by the noted artist and some of his contemporaries. Return to your ship for dinner. (B, L, D)
Day 22 Amsterdam
After breakfast, disembark and we will take you to the airport for your return flight.* (B)
